Congo River

The Congo River is the second-longest river in Africa (after the Nile) and the world’s deepest river. Here’s a concise overview:

Geography

Length: ~4,700 km (2,920 miles).

Source: Highlands of southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia.

Mouth: Flows into the Atlantic Ocean near Matadi and Boma (DRC).

Drainage Basin: Covers about 4 million km², mostly in the Congo Basin rainforest—the second-largest tropical forest in the world (after the Amazon).

Key Features

Depth: Reaches over 220 m (720 ft), making it the deepest river on Earth.

Tributaries: Includes major rivers like the Ubangi, Sangha, Kasai, and Lualaba.

Navigation: Parts of the river are navigable and vital for transport, but rapids (e.g., near Kinshasa and Matadi) restrict continuous navigation.

Economic Importance

Hydropower: The Inga Dams (Inga I & II, with plans for Grand Inga) harness only a fraction of the river’s potential—estimated to be the greatest hydropower potential of any river worldwide.

Transport & Trade: A major artery for moving goods and people in central Africa.

Fisheries & Agriculture: Supports millions with fishing and floodplain farming.

Environmental & Cultural Aspects

Biodiversity: Home to unique fish species and supports diverse wildlife within the Congo Basin.

Human Settlements: Major cities along the river include Kinshasa (DRC) and Brazzaville (Republic of Congo), which face each other across the river.

Cultural Role: Integral to the history and culture of central African peoples, from pre-colonial trade networks to colonial transport routes.

Would you like me to prepare a map with main tributaries and hydropower sites of the Congo River, or a timeline of its historical and geopolitical importance?